Latest update April 21st, 2025 5:30 AM

Guyana's largest selling daily and New York's most popular weekly

Latest News

A wake-up call for the air industry

Jan 11, 2014 Editorial

 

The increasing frequency of local aircraft near mishaps should serve as a wake-up call to the relevant bodies if it has not as yet done so. Within past months the news media have featured stories of emergency landings, falling wheels and doors opening in midair, that are likely to become expected in the normal course of things if the air traveling public do not press for serious answers from the local air industry, and the Guyana Civil Aviation Authority.
The inanities that emanate from the spokespersons whenever these incidents occur are to be expected from paid servants no less.  However, one would have thought that those private sector members would have been in the forefront pressing for the exercise of more diligent scrutiny regarding the safety of aircraft passengers and crews. A not so funny observation is that during the days of Guyana Airways Corporation there were no reports of the type we see nowadays, or if there were, the number and severity were minimal.  It is eerily similar to the situation we face with minibuses, vis-à-vis the defunct Guyana Transport big bus service.
To blandly assert that there was no danger to these persons flies in the face of the reality.  At the risk of sounding facetious, it has not as yet been shown how the safety of occupants in an airplane can be assured with falling wheels and opening doors. No one has even mentioned the dangers posed to people on the ground as experienced by the Plaisance resident who lost her home in – of all things – a plane crash.  Imagine relaxing in the comfort and safety of your home and a wheel comes through the roof.
With the Ogle Aerodrome now an international airport, it is to be expected that appropriate consideration has been given to those communities in aircraft flight paths.  It is observed that aircraft flying interior routes normally do so over waterways, probably out of safety concerns for both plane and people on the ground.  But this is negated by what appears to be a casual approach to maintenance and preflight requirements if, according to reports, passengers are at the mercy of aviators who dismiss warnings about potential problems.
Additionally, pilots face the constant problem of wandering persons and straying animals when landing and taking off at some airstrips. Investigations which last forever, and from all appearances go nowhere, might impress upon the more cynical that they are only intended to placate.  Such inquiries are likely to do more harm if they lack serious intent in terms of following up on findings and implementing recommendations.
Incidentally, near fatal mishaps have not occurred at any one particular airstrip or region which might or might not be significant.  A perusal of these incidents would show that Aishalton, Kaituma, Baramita, Kwakwani, Kaow Island, Ekereku, Pariuma, Matthews Ridge and Arau, have all been scenes of aircraft accidents.
Guyana must have some of the best pilots in the Caribbean, because in all of the ensuing post-incident investigations, no evidence of pilot error is adduced.  The likelihood of this when flying in a country like Guyana must be statistically significant, in view of the prevailing practice of operating using visual flight rules which is permitted under visual meteorological conditions.  This fact is no more observable than when inland flights remain grounded or have to divert to an alternative airstrip if visibility on the approach to the destination is affected by bad weather, particularly in light of the largely mountainous and forested areas that characterise Guyana’s interior.
A very obvious necessity must be an in-depth review of all aircraft mishaps, including fatal and non-fatal events.  Not to be ignored is the prevalence of particular types of incidents, and the operator and/or owner of the aircraft concerned.  This should not be seen as encouraging a witch hunt, but more as a call to audit compliance with the operations and maintenance schedules, in the hope that these are not being sacrificed for the almighty dollar, thus putting innocent people’s lives at risk.

 

Similar Articles

The Glenn Lall Show|| April, 14th, 2025

 

 

Follow on Tik Tok @Glennlall

THE BLUNT OF THE DAY

Sports

McNeil’s bronze the only medal for Guyana on day two in T&T

McNeil’s bronze the only medal for Guyana on day two in T&T

Apr 21, 2025

– Roberts, Persaud and Anderson in 800m finals today Kaieteur Sports- Ebo McNeil’s bronze medal in the Boys’ 3000m was Guyana’s only podium finish on day two of this year’s CARIFTA...
Read More
Weekend Thrillers Light Up the GFF National Training Centre

Weekend Thrillers Light Up the GFF National...

Apr 21, 2025

BCB and Sports fraternity mourn the loss of iconic athlete Milton Robert Pydana  …to be laid to rest at home

BCB and Sports fraternity mourn the loss of...

Apr 21, 2025

Three persons honoured as Pele FC Alumni Corp. hosts Recognition Luncheon

Three persons honoured as Pele FC Alumni Corp....

Apr 21, 2025

Annandale Girl’s, Covent Garden Boy’s crowned Region 4 Windball champions

Annandale Girl’s, Covent Garden Boy’s crowned...

Apr 20, 2025

ICC World Test Championship Final 2025 – AUS v SA – It is different!

ICC World Test Championship Final 2025 – AUS v...

Apr 20, 2025

Features/Columnists

Publisher’s Note

Freedom of speech is our core value at Kaieteur News. If the letter/e-mail you sent was not published, and you believe that its contents were not libellous, let us know, please contact us by phone or email.

Feel free to send us your comments and/or criticisms.
Contact: 624-6456; 225-8452; 225-8458; 225-8463; 225-8465; 225-8473 or 225-8491.
Or by Email: [email protected] / [email protected]

Weekend Cartoon

Bridge Watch

Demerara Harbour Bridge

> Berbice Bridge […]